Epidemiology / Public Health

General

• Code: 278-190403
• Semester: 4th
• Study Level: Undergraduate
• Course type: General Background
• Teaching and exams language: Greek
• Teaching Methods (Hours/Week): Theory (2)
• ECTS Units: 2
• Course homepage: https://moodle.teithe.gr/course/index.php?categoryid=196
• Instructors: Kazakos Kyriakos, Lavdaniti Maria, Theofanidis Dimitrios

Course Contents

• Introductory concepts of Epidemiology, Definitions. Historical review. Aims and use of epidemiology. Etiology and classification in Epidemiology.
• Epidemiological index. Epidemic, group disease, spectrum of disease. Epidemic outbreaks.
• Outline of epidemiological research. Testing of etiological hypotheses. Applications related to disease etiology. Interpretation of results of etiological investigations.
• Indicators of morbidity (incidence-prevalence). Applications of incidence data. Mortality indicators. Comparison between indicators.
• Descriptive Epidemiology. Characteristics of person, place, time. Synchronous or prevalence surveys, methods and validity of synchronous surveys. Systematic error in epidemiological research and techniques for its reduction.
• Patient-witness studies (retrospective studies). Characteristics. Advantages and Disadvantages. Stratified analysis. Interpretation of findings. Ecological studies.
• Cohort studies. Characteristics. Advantages and disadvantages. Fractal correlations. Interpretation of findings.
• Intervention studies (Experimental studies). Methods in clinical trials. Ethical considerations.
• Pre-symptomatic screening. Tests, mass screening programs and their evaluation. Epidemiological consideration of preventive interventions. Epidemiological methods and Health Services. The application of epidemiology in the evaluation of health services.
• Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases. Epidemiologically important infectious diseases in the community. Epidemiology of Inpatient Infections.
• Environmental Epidemiology. Health effects associated with environmental factors.
• Epidemiology and Clinical Nursing. Evaluation of Therapeutic Measures.
• Evidence-based nursing based on epidemiology.

Educational Goals

The aim of the module is to familiarize students with the concept of epidemiology and its practical application in healthcare facilities. In addition, they will gain knowledge on how to design an epidemiological survey and the use of tools for measuring and evaluating epidemiological data.

Upon successful completion of the theoretical module, the student will be able to grasp the importance of characteristics, persons, place and time on the incidence of disease and the differences between various types of epidemiological studies (descriptive retrospective, prospective interventions). Students will also develop skills in designing, organizing and conducting epidemiological studies and will be able to make decisions about the most appropriate choice of epidemiological research and understand the contribution of epidemiology to clinical and public health.

General Skills

• Adapting to new situations.
• Decision-making.
• Working independently.
• Team work.
• Project planning and management.
• Respect for difference and multiculturalism.
• Showing social, professional and ethical responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues.
• Criticism and self-criticism.
• Working in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking.

Teaching Methods

• Face to face.

Use of ICT means

• Powerpoint presentations.
• Support of the learning process through the electronic platform moodle.

Teaching Organization

Students Evaluation

• Written exams.